Phoenix leaders upset by recent string of shootings toward officers

PHOENIX — Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams called the shooting incident at a Phoenix home that injured nine officers “senseless,” adding “this kind of violence has no place in our city.”

Early Friday, five police officers were shot, and four others sustained injuries, after responding to a report about a shooting in a home near 51st Avenue and Broadway Road, police said.

“This is yet another example of the dangers our officers face day in and day out keeping our community safe,” Police Chief Jerri Williams said at a press conference Friday afternoon.

“If I seem upset, I am. This is senseless, it makes no sense. I’m trying to make rhyme and reason to this, but this kind of violence has no place in our city, and it continues to happen over and over again in this community and in our country.”

As the conference was held, detectives continued to investigate the scene that left two people dead and were interviewing witnesses.

“The amount of violence directed at law enforcement has increased significantly. Many of these attacks are brazen and represent a complete disregard for human life, not just here but across our country.”

“…Our justice systems has to hold repeat offenders and violent offenders accountable, period,” Williams said.

Mayor Kate Gallego said she couldn’t “recall an incident in city history where so many officers were injured.”

She added, “My heart is with the injured officers, their families and our entire Phoenix police team.”

Morris Jones, 36, was identified as the suspect in the shooting and died at the scene of an apparent gunshot wound.

The identity of the woman who died hasn’t been released.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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